Fernando Mendoza joins list of Heisman Trophy winners with title

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) reacts with the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Fernando Mendoza joins exclusive list of Heisman Trophy winners with national championship

By Colby Colwell | Last updated Jan 20, 2026 1:51 AM ET

The Indiana Hoosiers are national champions for the first time in program history after Monday's 27-21 win over Miami in a thrilling College Football Playoff title game.

He may not have been as efficient passing the ball as he was in the first two CFP games, but Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza delivered another clutch performance when it mattered most.

Fernando Mendoza breaks Heisman QB curse

Mendoza is the first quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy and the national championship in the same season since Joe Burrow in 2019 and only the third since 2013 (Jameis Winston). He is the first player to win both since wide receiver DeVonta Smith in 2020.

He was only 16-of-27 for 186 yards — a far cry from his eight TDs and five incompletions in the CFP entering Monday night — but he reminded everyone why he won the Heisman Trophy after a gutsy fourth-down call from head coach Curt Cignetti.

Leading 17-14 and facing a 4th-and-4 on the 12-yard line just over five minutes into the final quarter, Cignetti elected to keep the offense on the field instead of settling for the field goal. Mendoza took it from there and was not going to be denied on this incredible TD run.

FERNANDO. MENDOZA.

THE PLAY OF A LIFETIME ‼️ pic.twitter.com/g3o5nNNslr
— ESPN (@espn) January 20, 2026

It was a phenomenal season for Mendoza, who led the country in passing TDs (41) and QBR (90.2). He certainly had other Heisman moments earlier in the season, including the thrilling comeback and sensational throw to wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. in the back of the end zone to take down Penn State.

Even more impressive, Mendoza and the Hoosiers had zero five-star recruits on their team in a season that also saw them win their first Big Ten championship since 1967 and achieve their first Associated Press No. 1 ranking in program history.

Furthermore, this was the losing-est school in the sport's history entering the 2025 season. The Hoosiers finished the season 16-0, joining the 1894 Yale team as the only programs to do so.

Could this be a dynasty in the making under Cignetti? That is certainly not out of the question, especially considering he is following in the footsteps of seven-time national champion Nick Saban, whom he coached for from 2007-10.

Regardless of what the future holds for Indiana, Mendoza became its first Heisman Trophy winner and tacked on its first national championship to cap it off. It was a storybook season for the Hoosiers, and the California transfer made sure to give them a fairytale ending with one more Heisman-worthy moment in the process.

Colby Colwell

Colby Colwell is a freelance contributor with a bachelor’s in Computer & Information Technology and a minor in Psychology from Western Kentucky University. With a deep passion for sports, especially NASCAR, he offers his substantial knowledge along with his adept writing skills. When he’s not writing, Colby enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with his family

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